Page 30 of The Catcher

When I looked blankly at him, my legs weak, an uncomfortable heat and pressure pounding down to my cunt despite his rough treatment, he added impatiently, “your birth control, Em. Are you off it?”

“Yes,” I lied, not knowing what else to say. “I’m off it.”

And he nodded curtly at me, and turned and walked down the hall to the locker room.

I stopped by the grocery store on the way home, still feeling an almost-painful throb in my cunt that I tried to ignore. My hotel kitchen was tiny but I should really try to cook more and eat out less if I was stuck here until Tanner got bored. I picked up frozen lasagna and some refrigerated tamales, feeling jittery and on edge. I kept looking down nervously at my phone, but Tanner didn’t text me. I breathed a careful, ragged sigh of relief. He must be going out with the guys to celebrate after their win. There were always plenty of women who wanted to fuck him at the bar, so he wouldn’t likely be contacting me until tomorrow.

Women like that beautiful reporter.

I shook off my feeling of insecurity at how I looked and paid for my groceries. On the way home I stopped by my favorite Thai place and grabbed takeaway. I had gotten groceries, so I was beingverygood. But I really had a craving for spicy peanut sauce.

I had just kicked off my high-heeled boots at home and sat down with my carton at the table when I heard ading.

I’m at Ace’s

My fingers hovered over my phone, debating what to answer, but finally I just ignored the text. Maybe it was just a random drunk text from him. I unsnapped my chopsticks and dug intomy meal. It was sweet and salty, perfectly savory on my tongue and I wished I could enjoy it without my stomach twisting into a ball of anxiety about Tanner.

I started to unbutton my collared shirt when I heard another ding, and I felt my stomach drop.

That means get down here

Shit.

He couldn’t expect me to be on demand for him literally 24-7, could he?

I just got homeI texted him back.

Maybe that would be it.

Did I really think that would be it?No, I didn’t.

He texted back immediately, before I even had a chance to put my phone away.

Get fucking down here Em

I sighed and felt a shiver of fear down my spine.

Maybe he would just be satisfied with a quick bj and then I could come back home and get in my pajamas.

Maybe.

I shoveled several more bites of pad thai into my mouth, regretfully putting it back in the fridge. I’d have to finish it later. I went downstairs and started walking over to the bar, wishing I had thought to take off my hose and change my clothes. Tanner texted before I had barely made it outside.

I don’t see you here

I’m walking over!!!I texted him in annoyance.

As usual, Ace’s was dark, noisy, and packed. Tre was near the door and he gave me a high five. The Golden Boy held up his O’Doul’s non-alcoholic beer and said he was the designated driver.

“Do you want anything to drink?” Steak asked, looking sweaty and red. “I have to follow Miguel around to make sure he doesn’t drunk-call his ex-girlfriend.”

“Maybe,” I hedged, realizing that my eyes were unconsciously scanning the room.

As usual, my eyes reluctantly, begrudgingly found Tanner. He was in the middle of the floor with a beer in his hand, two or three women dancing near him, trying to get close enough to grind up on him. I saw him lean his head back and take another drink, the muscles moving in his lean throat. One of the women in front of him curled into him, reaching up to whisper in his ear.

I felt my stomach plummet, even though it was stupid. I knew just because he was blackmailing me, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t be fucking other women.

I turned to Steak. “I’ll have a mojito. A big one.”

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